Daily Readings - Tue Dec 07 2021
Isaiah
1Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.6The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:7The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.9O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Matthew
12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Sermon
In today's readings, we find a powerful message of hope and redemption. The first reading from Isaiah 40:1-11 offers comfort to God's people, urging them to prepare for the Lord's coming. It reminds us that human life is fleeting, like grass and flowers, but God's Word endures forever. The second reading from Matthew 18:12-14 uses the parable of the shepherd to illustrate God's deep care for each individual, emphasizing that it is not His will for any to be lost.
These readings are deeply connected, as Isaiah's prophecy of preparation and redemption is fulfilled in Jesus' ministry. Both highlight God's desire to seek out and save the lost, whether in exile or in everyday life. This connection reminds us that we are each valued by God, and He actively seeks our return when we stray.
In our daily lives, we can find comfort in knowing that God is always with us, especially in difficult times. We are called to trust in His enduring Word and to reach out to those around us who may feel lost or marginalized. Let us reflect on our own journeys and how we can embody God's care for others, just as the shepherd does. May we find strength in His promise and strive to bring others closer to Him.